This week, we focused on modernism in the US, exploring how designers and artists shaped a distinctly American approach to contemporary design. We looked at Saul Bass and his minimalist yet impactful film titles and logos, and how his work reflected modernist principles. Pop Art was also examined, highlighting its bold colours, commercial imagery, and commentary on consumer culture.
Modernism in general was considered in terms of its broader impact on American design, emphasising clean lines, functional design, and experimental approaches that influenced architecture, graphic design, and visual culture. The session highlighted how these movements connected, shaping a modern visual language that balanced creativity with communication.
Saul Bass was highlighted for his groundbreaking contributions to graphic design and film. His work emphasised simplicity and clarity, using minimal shapes, bold colours, and strong visuals to communicate complex ideas effectively. We looked at his iconic movie title sequences, like Vertigo and Psycho, as well as corporate logos, and discussed how they embodied modernist principles of functionality and visual storytelling.
Pop Art was examined as a reaction to mass culture and traditional modernism. The movement emphasised bright, bold colours, repetition, and imagery drawn from advertising, comics, and consumer products. Artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein blurred the boundaries between commercial art and fine art, challenging conventional ideas about aesthetics and cultural value, while celebrating everyday life.
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This week’s class gave a clear view of how modernism in the US shaped both art and design. Seeing **Saul Bass’**s work alongside Pop Art and broader modernist movements helped me understand how simplicity, bold visuals, and experimentation all worked together to communicate ideas effectively. It was interesting to see how these different strands of modernism, whether in graphic design, film, or popular culture, shared a focus on clarity, purpose, and breaking from tradition, yet each had its unique style and impact. Overall, it highlighted the lasting influence of modernist thinking on contemporary visual culture.
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